SOUTH Lakeland District Council will be asked to adopt a widely recognised definition of antisemitism at a meeting next week.

Council leader Giles Archibald will propose the motion before a meeting of the full council sitting in Kendal on Tuesday night.

The motion suggests that SLDC expresses its “alarm” at the rise in antisemitism in recent years and condemns the “pernicious” form of racism.

It reads: “This includes incidents when criticism of Israel has been expressed using antisemitic tropes. Criticism of Israel can be legitimate, but not if it employs the tropes and imagery of antisemitism.

“We therefore welcome the UK Government’s support of the internationally-recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance guidelines on antisemitism.

“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Examples of antisemitism, according to the definition, include “stereotypical allegations” about Jews and “exaggerating” The Holocaust.

Cllr Archibald, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Kendal Town, has suggested that the council formally adopts the definition.

Recently, Cumbria County Council adopted the definition, which has been taken on board by the Government, European Union, Crown Prosecution Service and more than 130 local councils.